Our first club race is Saturday March 5 with a traditional Cat’s Paw Hill Scratch Race starting at 6:30am. I am looking forward to another great season of racing in Central Park and am excited about some of the new races we are offering this year to add some variety to our events. I am also pleased to announce that we have decided to reinstate the Boyd Cup for the Men’s B field.
If you plan on racing this Saturday but did not receive your race number in the mail, you should login to the membership area on crca.net to ensure your are “good to race” and show up extra early to collect your race number – expect lines at race registration and number pick up.

A quick reminder that all racers must sign in at race registration and provide a legible, signed release form. C Field riders please note: there is a USAC imposed limit of 50 riders in this field. If you arrive to race after this maximum has been reached, you will not be able to race. Please show up early to guarantee your start.

I want to take a quick moment to remind you that racing in Central Park is a privilege we enjoy, but it is by no means a right. The current environment in New York City means that we need to be particularly sensitive to other Park users at all times, but especially when conducting our races. We cannot afford to have any issues arise that would put the club in a bad light.

Historically we get complaints about riders riding or standing in the jogger’s lane after the completion of the race, riding in the reverse direction and riding on the paths in the park – including the path from the toilets to the start area.

To that end, I ask for your co-operation in complying with the ClubRaceProtocol, theCodeofConduct and the CentralParkRules. Board members, marshals and race staff will be enforcing these rules by recording race numbers of those who do not comply. The Board will determine the appropriate sanctions for the riders involved, but these may include:

- suspension from the club

- disqualification from the race (and forfeiture of any Boyd and Team Cup points)

- team disqualification from the race (i.e. forfeiture of all Boyd and Team Cup points)

- assignment of additional marshaling duties

Of course, we hope that no action will be required – but I want to be clear that the level of tolerance has significantly decreased.

On a more positive note, I would like to encourage you to take advantage of our coaching clinics – the details of which are regularly updated on our website. These are a great way to improve not only your fitness, but also your skill level. Saferacing is our goal in Central Park.

All the best of luck for your 2011 road racing season and as always, please feel free to email me or any of the BoardMembers with your comments or suggestions.